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Grand Rapids, MI alt-rock/post-emo/pop-punk band Potionseller is set to release their debut EP, "When They Get Old," tomorrow via PNWK Records. The EP was engineered, mixed, and mastered by Ryan Malicsi of Hot Mulligan at Eureka Records in Wyandotte, MI. Today, we are premiering the video for 'One More Photo,' which started out as a bluegrass/folk song written by vocalist Austen Reno in the midst of a beer-fueled demo session in the basement. Potionseller then decided to switch gears on the track and turn it into a hard-hitting pop-punk song, that quickly became the star track of the EP.
"'One More Photo' is about the (often difficult) reality of touring as a DIY band, but missing every second of it when it's over," says the band about the song. "Every story in the song is true - broken down on a tour 300 miles from home in Aliquippa, PA. with no money, which meant having to cancel shows and drum up enough cash for cheap motel, warm whiskey in the streets of a neighborhood outside of Austin, TX. All of it. Though these times were some of the toughest, and they were some of the best. I wish I would've taken one more photo.”
Potionseller was formed in late 2021 during the pandemic by vocalist Austen Reno. Reno spent the better half of his late teens and 20’s heavily touring the U.S. with his previous band, If Only, If Only (fka Backpacks). After If Only, If Only parted ways, Reno wrote 5 songs for a new project and brought them to old friend and label mate, Ryan Malicsi of Hot Mulligan to record at his home studio and Eureka Records in Wyandotte, MI.
After sitting on the songs for almost a year, Reno decided to assemble a full band. The first addition was his childhood best friend, Jake Bartell, on bass. Reno and Bartell have been a part of musical projects together since the 7th grade. In addition, Bartell is an accomplished classical/jazz musician, with Potionseller being his first time entering the DIY scene. Next to join was drummer John Wilson, a veteran of the Michigan music scene. Andy Morris, who had spent his college years and early twenties building his own band Common Nonsense, was added next. The final member to join was Reno’s former label mate, Nate Leritz, on lead guitar, who had spent years touring with various projects in the Michigan scene.
The newly formed band began practicing weekly and played their first show at Mulligan’s Pub in Grand Rapids, MI on March 10th, 2023. They quickly followed up with an opening slot for Worry Club & Saturdays at Your Place at the Pike Room in Pontiac, and a performance at Stoop Fest in Lansing. That summer, they played several shows at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, including opening for the legendary teenage dirtbags, Wheatus, thanks to Kickstand Productions.
After two years of honing their unique blend of emo-flavored pop-punk through vibrant single releases and passionate performances, Potionseller presents their impressive new five-song EP, “When They Get Old.” This EP is a testament to their versatility, seamlessly blending the nostalgia of 2000s pop-punk with the intricate nuances of modern emo.
